1. Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)

2. Melodramatic LifeMelodramatic Life
Determining the facts of Poe’s life hasDetermining the facts of Poe’s life has
proved difficult, as lurid legend becameproved difficult, as lurid legend became
entwined with fact even before he died.entwined with fact even before he died.
Some of these legends were spread bySome of these legends were spread by
Poe himself.Poe himself.
Two days after Poe’s death, his literaryTwo days after Poe’s death, his literary
executor began a smear campaign,executor began a smear campaign,
rewriting Poe’s correspondence so asrewriting Poe’s correspondence so as
to alienate many of his friends.to alienate many of his friends.

3. Early LifeEarly Life
Poe was born in Boston on January 19,Poe was born in Boston on January 19,
1809, his parents’ second child.1809, his parents’ second child.
His father deserted the family a yearHis father deserted the family a year
later.later.
In December 1811, his mother died atIn December 1811, his mother died at
twenty-four, and her husbandtwenty-four, and her husband
disappeared completely.disappeared completely.
Poe was taken in by John Allan, aPoe was taken in by John Allan, a
successful and stable Richmondsuccessful and stable Richmond
merchant.merchant.

4. College and West PointCollege and West Point
Poe spent most of 1826 at thePoe spent most of 1826 at the
University of West Virginia, doing well inUniversity of West Virginia, doing well in
his studies, but running up gamblinghis studies, but running up gambling
debts and drinking.debts and drinking.
He was admitted at West Point in 1830,He was admitted at West Point in 1830,
but got himself expelled by missingbut got himself expelled by missing
classes and roll calls.classes and roll calls.
By 1831, Poe had already publishedBy 1831, Poe had already published
three versions of his early poetry.three versions of his early poetry.

5. Poe’s DeathPoe’s Death
During the last two years of his life, PoeDuring the last two years of his life, Poe
was seriously ill--perhaps with a brainwas seriously ill--perhaps with a brain
lesion--and drinking steadily.lesion--and drinking steadily.
On Election Day, October 3, 1949, heOn Election Day, October 3, 1949, he
was found senseless near a pollingwas found senseless near a polling
place.place.
Taken to a hospital, he died on OctoberTaken to a hospital, he died on October
7, “of congestion of the brain.”7, “of congestion of the brain.”
A recent theory is that he died of rabies.A recent theory is that he died of rabies.

6. Poe worked in a variety ofPoe worked in a variety of
genres (1827-1849)genres (1827-1849)
Criticism--he gained a national reputation as aCriticism--he gained a national reputation as a
virulently sarcastic critic, a literary hatchetman. Thevirulently sarcastic critic, a literary hatchetman. The
bulk of his writing consists of his criticism, and hisbulk of his writing consists of his criticism, and his
most abiding ambition was to become a powerfulmost abiding ambition was to become a powerful
critic.critic.
Poetry--He was an experimental poet.Poetry--He was an experimental poet.
Psychological fiction--He wanted to produce thePsychological fiction--He wanted to produce the
greatest possible horrific effects on the reader.greatest possible horrific effects on the reader.
Detective Story--Poe created this form when he wasDetective Story--Poe created this form when he was
32, will all its major conventions complete.32, will all its major conventions complete.

7. Characteristics of Poe’sCharacteristics of Poe’s
detective storiesdetective stories
Poe places veiled clues before thePoe places veiled clues before the
reader.reader.
The writer/narrator strives to appearThe writer/narrator strives to appear
objective.objective.
– Poe would have liked to solve everythingPoe would have liked to solve everything
by the mind.by the mind.
– He was disturbed by what he could notHe was disturbed by what he could not
solve by reason.solve by reason.
The climax of the story is the narrator’sThe climax of the story is the narrator’s
explanation of the crime.explanation of the crime.

8. Poe and the GothicPoe and the Gothic
Poe did not want to write gothic stories;Poe did not want to write gothic stories;
he started his career spoofing thehe started his career spoofing the
Gothic.Gothic.
He said that he wrote, “Tales of terror,He said that he wrote, “Tales of terror,
not of Germany, but of the soul.”not of Germany, but of the soul.”
He transformed tales of terror intoHe transformed tales of terror into
psychological stories; he delved into thepsychological stories; he delved into the
mysterious recesses of the humanmysterious recesses of the human
mind.mind.

9. Elements of Gothic in Poe’sElements of Gothic in Poe’s
FictionFiction
Grim settingGrim setting
– Landscapes are often reflections ofLandscapes are often reflections of
character’s mind.character’s mind.
– Unusual buildings, extremes of nature,Unusual buildings, extremes of nature,
eccentric works of arteccentric works of art
– Very few of his stories take place inVery few of his stories take place in
America; most take place in Europe orAmerica; most take place in Europe or
Never-never-land.Never-never-land.

10. Other elements of the GothicOther elements of the Gothic
Hidden evilHidden evil
– Unspeakable, mysterious crimes, including incestUnspeakable, mysterious crimes, including incest
and parracideand parracide
Obsession with DeathObsession with Death
– Ghosts, blood, body partsGhosts, blood, body parts
Maniacal LaughterManiacal Laughter
The discovered manuscriptThe discovered manuscript
– gives responsibility to someone elsegives responsibility to someone else
DeformityDeformity
– the groteque--people who don’t look right arethe groteque--people who don’t look right are
capable of activity beyond the normcapable of activity beyond the norm

11. An element of Poe’s styleAn element of Poe’s style
Poe uses vocabulary to create setting,Poe uses vocabulary to create setting,
for rhetorical effect, rather than forfor rhetorical effect, rather than for
information.information.
Modern horror films use music to createModern horror films use music to create
atmosphere; Poe used vocabulary.atmosphere; Poe used vocabulary.

12. Hawthorne/PoeHawthorne/Poe
HawthorneHawthorne
described thedescribed the
conflict between theconflict between the
intellect and heart.intellect and heart.
Poe described thePoe described the
conflict between twoconflict between two
sides of the intellect.sides of the intellect.